Bruce Rossmeyer, Daytona Harley dealer, killed in wreck

Friday

Jul 31, 2009 at 1:18 AM

Daytona Beach News-Journal

DAYTONA BEACH -- Bruce Rossmeyer, one of the nation's largest Harley-Davidson dealers and a supporter of charitable causes that helped thousands of children, was killed Thursday in a motorcycle crash in Wyoming as he made his way to the Sturgis, S.D., motorcycle rally

Rossmeyer, 66, was traveling in the western part of the state in Sweetwater County on Highway 28 about 11 a.m. with five other motorcyclists when they came up to a pickup pulling a camp trailer and tried to pass, according to the Wyoming Highway Patrol.

"The pickup slowed and activated his left signal," Lt. Shawn Dickerson said. "Four of the motorcycles passed to the left .¤.¤. When Mr. Rossmeyer attempted to pass, the truck made its left turn and he hit the driver's side door. The sixth motorcycle swerved to the right and avoided collision."

Rossmeyer, who was not wearing a helmet, was ejected from his bike and came to rest under the camp trailer, Dickerson said. He was declared dead at the scene.

Dickerson described the road as "straight, dry and flat." He said the "extremely rural road" is an option to Sturgis, but not the primary way to travel there.

"We do see an influx of motorcycle traffic this time of year," he said. "But we're still eight hours away."

Rossmeyer had attended a Harley dealers meeting in Denver and was headed for Thermopolis, Wyo., where he planned to meet a group of custom bike builders called the Hamsters, Grady Pfeiffer, a friend of Rossmeyer's and spokesman for the Hamsters told the Rapid City (S.D.) Journal. From there they were planning to ride to Sturgis.

Rossmeyer's wife, Sandy, and two of their children were waiting for him in Sturgis, Pfeiffer said Thursday night. In Ormond Beach, a woman at the front desk of the Harley dealership at Destination Daytona said, "The family isn't ready to make a statement. The media will be notified when they are."

Tim Curtis, owner of Houligan's Irish Sports Pub in Ormond Beach, grew up with Bruce and Sandra Rossmeyer's five children - Mandy, Wendy, Randy, Will and Shelly - and said his thoughts and prayers are with the family.

"He's a risk-taker, a pioneer and a legend," Curtis said. "But he's the biggest legend to his family. They meant the world to him."

Those who only know Rossmeyer from his billboards as they cruise down the highway miss the heart of the man, Curtis said.

"I grew up with his kids, and see the family side," he said. "I don't think most people really saw the giving side of him."

Rossmeyer's heart for children was a big part of his life, local officials say, whether it was contributing and helping to found Camp Boggy Creek for children with life-threatening illnesses or helping the Boys & Girls Clubs, including the Rossmeyer Family Holly Hill club, named in his honor.

"He was a champion for kids here," said Joe Sullivan, chief professional officer for the Boys & Girls Club of Volusia and Flagler Counties. "He overcame some challenges and got in trouble as a young man and said the kids in the club remind him a lot of him."

He continued serving on the board of Camp Boggy Creek, southwest of DeLand, and was excited, officials say, at the June meeting describing the plans for the 15th annual Daytona Harley-Davidson Ride for Children in October.

"We are just heartsick. This is just horrible," said Sarah Gurtis, spokeswoman for Boggy Creek. "All you had to do was see him around the campers and you knew there was no false smoke. His heart was so focused on those kids."

In a 2006 interview with The Daytona Beach News-Journal, Rossmeyer said, "When you go over there and see the results of those kids who are having such a good time, it just gets into your heart."

NASCAR driver Kyle Petty formed his own camp for children modeled after Camp Boggy Creek after the death of his son. Rossmeyer helped him to form Victory Junction Gang Camp in North Carolina after years of taking part in the local ride for children. Rossmeyer continued every year to hold similar fundraising rides for Victory Junction and other charities.

Born in New Jersey in May 1943, Rossmeyer was a long-time resident of Ormond Beach. He and his wife also lived in Fort Lauderdale.

One of the largest Harley-Davidson dealers in the nation, Rossmeyer also co-owned three automobile dealerships.

He opened his first motorcycle business, a Harley-Davidson dealership on Beach Street in Daytona Beach, in January 1994.

In the next 15 years, he became one of the nation's largest Harley dealers, with 13 dealerships in Florida, Colorado, Massachusetts, Mississippi and Tennessee. He opened the 109,000-square-foot Destination Daytona in October 2005. In 2007, the company employed about 500, including 125 in Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach and New Smyrna Beach.

Daytona Beach Mayor Glenn Ritchey said the news "is a terrible tragedy for our area. In addition to being a prominent businessman, Bruce Rossmeyer was involved in many charitable activities for the community. He'll be greatly missed. My heart goes out to his family."

Kevin Kilian, senior vice president of The Chamber, Daytona Beach/Halifax Area, who worked with Rossmeyer on Bike Week events, was also was saddened by the news.

"Obviously, Bruce Rossmeyer was a big part of the business community and certainly the motorcycle community," he said. "The argument could be made that his presence downtown built Bike Week into the event it is today. And his extension of that event to the Ormond Beach area was a major boost."

George Mirabal, executive vice president of The Chamber, worked with Rossmeyer for several years in conjunction with Bike Week and other community events.

"Everybody's first reaction is just shock," he said. "Bruce really has been a leader in the community. And I was around when he shaped Bike Week on Beach Street. Everything had been on Main Street till then. And then he reshaped it and spread it to U.S. 1 and to Ormond Beach, to everyone's benefit."

His influence also spread to Orlando, where he was a regular courtside at Magic games.

"Bruce Rossmeyer was a great fan, friend and sponsor of the Orlando Magic for the majority of our history," chief operating officer Alex Martins said. "Our entire Magic family is shocked and terribly saddened. Our thoughts are with Bruce and his family. We will miss one of our greatest fans."

Thursday was the beginning of the 69th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which runs through Aug. 9, said Lonnie Isam, owner of Competition Distribution, who deals in vintage Harley-Davidsons and builds 1913 replicas.

Isam's business is at the heart of the event activity.

"I can see his booth from here," said Isam, who often raced motorcycles in Daytona Beach. "The event is so large. There will be a half-million people here and I am sure a lot of people will stop by his booth. The word will spread and everybody will be sad."

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